TWO of the biggest promotional outfits in Cebu -- Omega Sports Promotions and ARQ Sports -- have joined forces to hold a double-header boxing show in the midwestern town of Tuburan on Oct. 28.
The main event will feature unbeaten prospect Ramil Macado taking on his stiffest test against Tanzanian up-and-comer Ally Ngwando for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Asia flyweight crown.
Benny Cañete, on the other hand, will lock horns with Jun Blazo in a 10-round co-main feature.
The 27-year-old Macado has been blazing through the local flyweight scene after making his debut last year. Despite only on the second year of his pro career, Macado has already beaten the likes of veteran Renoel Pael, tough Alvin Camique and recently previously unbeaten Eldin Guinahon, whom he stopped in eight rounds.
Macado will have his hands full against his first foreign opponent in his first regional title contest.
The 24-year-old Ngwado has fought most of his fights in his native of Tanziania except for his fight in Namibia against undefeated Fillemon Nghutenanye. He lost to Nghutenanye by an eighth-round knockout last year.
Ngwando has since bounced back and won a split decision over Jamal Kunoga last April 22 in Tanzania.
Macado is 7-0 with three knockouts, while Ngwando is 9-2-2 with two knockouts.
Meanwhile, Cañete is one of the most promising pugs from the Omega Boxing Gym. He suffered his first career defeat after losing to Kenneth Llover by unanimous decision last Jan. 21 in Mandaluyong City. Cañete returned to his winning ways after defeating Pael by unanimous decision three month later in Lapu-Lapu City.
Blazo is a seasoned former regional champion. He has fought six times in Japan and shared the ring with former interim World Boxing Association flyweight champion Koki Eto.
Blazo is coming off a knockout-loss in the third round to Japanese Takahiro Tai last year.
Cañete is 8-1 with six knockouts, while Blazo is 16-7-3 with 12 knockouts.
Also seeing action in the undercard is WBC No. 25 ranked light flyweight Mark Vicelles.
Vicelles (17-1-1, 10 KOs) will take on Ronald Alapormina (5-5-4, 2 KOs) in his ring return.
Vicelles is coming of a technical-decision loss to Regie Suganob in an International Boxing Federation light flyweight title eliminator last Feb. 25 in Bohol.
In the undercard, Ian Abne (9-0-1, 4 KOs) will slug it out with Jeven Villacite (6-5-5, 1 KO), Berland Robles (9-0, 4 KOs) will fight Pael (23-14-1, 12 KOs), Rodel Wenceslao (19-19-2, 8 KOs) will lock horns with fellow veteran Ryan Maano (6-17-2, 2 KOs), Johnriel Casimero’s Japanese sparring partner Kakeru Mashimo (5-0, 4 KOs) will face off with Marjon Piencenaves (6-7-1, 4 KOs), Riel Gabunilas (2-0) will square off with Rustom Sario (2-2) and Ramil Roda (1-1-2) will face Kier Torregosa (2-2-2, 1 KO). / EKA